81 XS650 hardtail build. let's call this one the "Flying Crowbar"

[lowerc]

First and foremost....THIS SITE KICKS ASS!
I wanted to build a bike so I started researching. Harley's are shite, norton's, triumphs etc are hard to come by in my area. I looked into metric bikes and XS650.com convinced me this was the bike I needed

I picked this heap up last fall, I just now feel like I'm far enough along to share a build thread. Still have a long ways to go.

The way I got it, plus a couple boxes of parts, pretty much complete, just tore up

First task was to see if I could get it running. Carbs needed some work. Cleaned/replaced a bunch of parts. I like the PO's attempt at cleaning

lot's of parts in a carb, as you guys know

wiring harness was tore up so I made a makeshift harness for vital components and hooked it to my battery booster for power and........great success!

click pic for video

 

[lowerc]

I ordered an Ardcore tail. Great product but I hope you like waiting. Took about four and a half months to come in. Time to chop, chop.

The rims/rubber needed some help so I did this at the same time.

Gunmetal powder and some shinko 777's

And here is the quick mock-up

 

[lowerc]

tank is a cole foster.

fender is from lowbrow customs. They also sent me a most excellent sticker for my toolbox. LOL

 

[Airwolfie]

I dig that tank! Looking really nice!

Sounds good too!

 

[lowerc]

don't have a vid yet of the Gordon Scott pipes yet.

He welded some baffles in the pipe for me so it should be a little quieter, we'll see

Pipes from Gordon Scott are excellent quality, I'm excited to hear them

 

[Fndirtygreaser]

Nice start

 

[barelycompetent]

I have a set of pipes from Gordonscott, I have the two into one down the left side with a 12inch stainless muffler. All I can say is, WELL WORTH THE WAIT AND MONEY!! They sound amazing, loud but not too loud or obnoxious, and they look great, the craftsmanship is top notch. I had the headers ceramic coated satin black and with the stainless muffler look amazing! Nice looking project, cant wait to see the finished bike!

 

[Dusty]

That project looks killer. I did the whitewall rear tire on one of my builds. i came to regret it because it gets covered in chain oil all the time. Even new seals didn't fix that. Keep the vasoline on the whitewall so you can wipe it down on a regular basis. Keep up the good work,and keep the pictures coming.

 

[lowerc]

I got a question about my bars in another thread. They are TC Bros drag bars. Got them from Lowbrow customs $24.95 painted and everything

 

[pat_in_the_hat]

thats a bad ass sticker!

and ive always liked the cole foster tank with drag bars. looks good man! im jealous

 

[RatyXS]

Awesome. I thought i seen them some where but wasn't 100% sure where. Now I know, they are the bars on my bike LOL. For some reason I thought yours had more pull back in them. None the less sweet looking build, the CF tank is a beauty.

 

[lowerc]

a little update.

machine doesn't look much different. In the last mock up pic the parts were just sitting there. I now have mounts welded up but they are just tacked for now.

on to the pics......

Got the seat mounts all sorted out

random batt box build. plus the chain tensioner mount which isn'tdoing much at this time.

Foot peg mounts hacked up from stock parts, stole this idea from others on this site

Fender all mounted up

And a couple overall pics

lots to do so don't be too critical just yet. I know, I'm working on it.
Constructive criticism more than welcome.

 

[Airwolfie]

Nothing to criticise, looks good as is!!

 

[lowerc]

Thanks wolf.

yet to do.....
-weld stuff solid
-chop front fender down to size
-rear brake switch
-gauges
-wiring harness
-signals and tail light
-ride!

 

[Airwolfie]

HAHA! That is a shortened version of my list! Mine ended up being over 40 things I need to do! got about 15 left!

Not long now though!!

 

[Kingpaul]

Lowerc, what did you use/How did you clean those carb's if you don't mind me asking,.

 

[lowerc]

Lowerc, what did you use/How did you clean those carb's if you don't mind me asking,.

used scoth brite pads in the bowls. The rest was just carb cleaner and a little elbow grease. They were in reasonable shape to start with so no big deal

 

[truenorthmetal]

very cool build happening in Ottawa.....dig the peg mount and the Cf tank. Pipes fit the bile perfectly...........ideas on colors...?

 

[fredintoon]

tank is a cole foster.
fender is from lowbrow customs. They also sent me a most excellent sticker for my toolbox. LOL

Hi lowerc,
in the Inuit culture one must lend out anything at all that someone has a need for.
Including one's wife.
As an Inuit Elder explained the lending the wife part of the philosophy:-
Lend out your dog team and they come back exhausted,
lend out your sled and it comes back broken,
lend out your fishing spear and it comes back blunted,
lend out your wife and she comes back smiling

 

[lowerc]

very cool build happening in Ottawa.....dig the peg mount and the Cf tank. Pipes fit the bile perfectly...........ideas on colors...?

I'm a huge fan of the thug life build, you must have seen it around. I hate to rip off the paint job but the black with red lace is very nice. I'll figure something out.....

Hi lowerc,
in the Inuit culture one must lend out anything at all that someone has a need for.
Including one's wife.
As an Inuit Elder explained the lending the wife part of the philosophy:-
Lend out your dog team and they come back exhausted,
lend out your sled and it comes back broken,
lend out your fishing spear and it comes back blunted,
lend out your wife and she comes back smiling

Love the Inuit reference. I was born and raised in Yellowknife and I'm pretty sure I've heard that saying before. LOL!

BTW, I was more protective of my tools than my wife. I always joke (she hates it) that anyone can fuck her as long as they don't go deeper than me. don't really mean it, might be pissed, but I just like to joke around